The 5 Chilling Truths About 112 Ocean Avenue: Where Is The Amityville Horror House Today?

The legendary house at 112 Ocean Avenue, better known as the site of the infamous Amityville Horror, remains one of the most compelling and controversial true crime and paranormal mysteries in modern American history. As of late 2025, the property is a private residence, still occupied, and meticulously maintained by owners who wish to remain anonymous, a strategy necessary to deter the constant stream of tourists and curiosity seekers.

The home’s notoriety stems from two distinct, yet intertwined, events: the brutal 1974 mass murder of the DeFeo family and the subsequent 28-day residency of the Lutz family, whose alleged demonic encounters formed the basis of the blockbuster book and film franchise. Despite decades of debate over whether the paranormal claims were a genuine haunting or a calculated hoax, the house itself continues to command attention, undergoing architectural changes and a crucial address change to achieve some measure of normalcy.

The True Crime Foundation: The DeFeo Family Murders (1974)

The true, undisputed horror of the house began not with ghosts, but with a horrifying act of violence. On the night of November 13, 1974, Ronald Joseph DeFeo Jr., then 23, systematically murdered his entire family as they slept in their beds at 112 Ocean Avenue, a large Dutch Colonial Revival home on the Great South Bay shoreline in Amityville, Long Island, New York.

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The victims of this mass murder included his parents, Ronald Sr. and Louise DeFeo, and his four younger siblings: Dawn, Allison, Marc, and John Matthew. All six were found shot to death in their beds.

• Ronald DeFeo Sr. (43): Father and victim.
• Louise DeFeo (43): Mother and victim.
• Dawn DeFeo (18): Sister and victim.
• Allison DeFeo (13): Sister and victim.
• Marc DeFeo (12): Brother and victim.
• John Matthew DeFeo (9): Brother and victim.
• Ronald DeFeo Jr. ("Butch"): The perpetrator, convicted of six counts of second-degree murder. He claimed he was driven by "demonic voices" but was sentenced to 25 years to life. He died in prison in March 2021 at the age of 69.

This tragic true crime event left the house vacant for over a year, creating a dark, tangible history that would attract the next family and the ensuing controversy.

The Lutz Family and the 28-Day Haunting

In December 1975, just 13 months after the murders, George and Kathy Lutz purchased the property for a bargain price of $80,000, fully aware of its bloody past. They moved in with Kathy’s three children from a previous marriage.

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The family claimed that within 28 days, they were forced to flee due to an escalating series of terrifying and unexplainable paranormal phenomena, including:

• Mysterious cold spots and foul odors.
• Green slime oozing from the walls.
• George Lutz waking up every night at 3:15 AM (the alleged time of the DeFeo murders).
• The appearance of a demonic, pig-like creature.

Their story, chronicled by author Jay Anson in the 1977 book *The Amityville Horror*, launched a global phenomenon. Both George and Kathy Lutz stood by their terrifying account until their deaths in 2006 and 2004, respectively, cementing the house's place in pop culture.

The Enduring Hoax Debate: True Story or Fabrication?

Despite the Lutzes’ insistence, the paranormal claims have been the subject of intense scrutiny and controversy since the book's release. The most damning evidence against the story's validity came from a key figure in the DeFeo trial: Ronald DeFeo Jr.'s defense attorney, William Weber.

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Weber publicly claimed that he and the Lutzes had "concocted" the entire haunting story over several bottles of wine. According to Weber, the original motive was to fabricate a story that would help Ronald DeFeo Jr. get a new trial by claiming the house was possessed, and simultaneously create a lucrative book deal.

While the Lutzes denied this until their deaths, the revelations from Weber and numerous paranormal investigators who found no evidence of a haunting have led many to conclude that *The Amityville Horror* is a notorious literary hoax. The debate, however, only adds to the house's mystique, ensuring its continued relevance in both true crime and horror genres.

The Current Status of 112 Ocean Avenue (Now 108 Ocean Avenue)

The most recent and definitive update on the property involves its status as a private residence. The current owners have taken extraordinary measures to discourage the endless flow of sightseers and media attention.

1. The Address Change

The most significant change is the official re-designation of the address. The house is no longer known publicly as 112 Ocean Avenue. The address has been changed to 108 Ocean Avenue, a common tactic used by owners of infamous properties to create a layer of anonymity and confusion for tourists.

2. Architectural Renovations

To further deter visitors, the house has undergone extensive renovations that have significantly altered its exterior appearance. The most famous and chilling architectural feature—the two quarter-round windows on the third floor that gave the house its distinctive "eye" look—have been removed or drastically modified. This change was a deliberate effort to erase the visual connection to the iconic images seen in the 1979 film and subsequent movies.

3. Recent Sales and Value

The house has been sold multiple times since the Lutz family fled, each time by owners attempting to move on from the property's dark legacy. The last confirmed sale occurred in February/March 2017 to an undisclosed owner for $605,000, which was significantly less than the original listing price of $850,000. Its current estimated value, as of 2025, is now well over $1 million, reflecting the general appreciation of Long Island real estate despite the house's grim history.

The Legacy of The Amityville Horror

The house at 112 Ocean Avenue, regardless of the veracity of the paranormal claims, has left an indelible mark on the horror genre and the true crime landscape. The tale has spawned a staggering number of films, books, and documentaries, turning a quiet suburban home into a global cultural icon.

The continued debate between the true crime tragedy of the DeFeo family and the supernatural narrative of the Lutz family ensures that the property, now quietly sitting at 108 Ocean Avenue, will remain a dark point of fascination for generations to come. The house is a stark reminder of the fine line between documented historical horror and the enduring power of a compelling, terrifying story.